Easel



June 27, 1939.

V. FORTUNATO EASEL Fil ed Oct. 12, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR BY v-fi ATTORNEYS.

W/TNESS.

June 27, 1939. v. FORTUNATO EASEL 2 SheetS -Sheet 2 INVENTOR ATTORNEYS.

Filed Oct. 12, 1938 NIT/VESS' Patented June 27, 1939 PATENT oFFIcE EASEL Vincent Fortunato, Brooklyn, N. Y., assignor to The Mounting & Finishing Co. Inc., Brooklyn,

Application October 12, 1938, Serial No. 234,567

9 Claims.

This invention relates to easels, and more particularly to folding easels for offset cardboard display units.

The principal object of the invention resides in an easel which may be flatly folded against the rear side of an offset foldable display unit when the latter is in unfolded fiat condition to facilitate compact storing and shipment of the display units to their destinations for use, where they are intended to beset up for display purposes.

Another feature of the invention is to provide a foldable easel for display units having offset panel sections, which easel may be easily set up for use, and which braces and rigidly supports the offset panels of the display unit in an upright position.

Other features of the invention will be apparent as the following specification is read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in

which:

Figure 1 is a perspective View of an offset display unit in a set up position and equipped with a single prop easel constructed in accordance with 26 my invention.

Figure 2 is a side elevational view.

Figure 3 is a horizontal sectional view on the line 3-3 of Figure 2. c

Figure 4 is a rear elevational View showing the display unit and easel in fiat unfolded position.

Figure 5 is a perspective View of the single prop easel associated with a modified form of offset display unit, the same being in flat unfolded position.

Figure 6 is a rear elevational view of a display unit equipped with a double prop easel, the parts being shown in fiat unfolded position.

Figure 7 is a rear elevational view of the display unit shown in Figure 6 with the parts in folded set up position.

Figure 8 is a side elevational View.

Referring to the drawings by reference characters, the numeral I9 designates my improved cardboard display unit in its entiretywhich includes a single sheet of stiff cardboard Ascored on spaced parallel-horizontal lines II and I2 which are disposed parallel to the straight bottom edge I3 of the sheet to divide the same into a '1ower panel section I4, an upper panel section I5, and an intermediate section I6. The cut of the score line II is made on the front of the sheet; A and the score line I2 on the rear side thereof so that the sheet may. be easily folded to a position to cause the panelsl l and I5 to (Cl. III-152.1)

assume an offset position when the display unit is in set up position. The front side of the panel sections I4 and I5 are intended to'have any desired display or indicia printed thereon.

My improved easel is designated by the nu- 5 meral I1 and is formed from a single blank of stiff cardboard scored lengthwise on the broken longitudinal hinge fold line I8 to divide the blank into an attaching flap I9 and a hinged prop 29. The prop 2|] is of substantially triangular shape 1 and includes a straight base edge 2| and a straight side edge 22 which converges toward the top end of the hinge fold line I8. The attaching flap I9 is notched inwardly from its free side edge as at 23 which provides straight opposed 15 shoulders 24 and 25, the same being parallel to and disposed in the same plane with the respective score lines II and I2 when the easel is flat against the rear side of the display panels as best illustrated in Figure 4 of the drawings. The 20 inner end of the notch terminates in a straight vertical edge 26 which is disposed in alinement with the hinge fold line I8. The height of the notch 23 is equal to the width of the intermediate panel section l6 and is of a depth equal to the 25 width of the attaching flap I9. The attaching flap I9 is adhesively secured to the rear side of the panel sections I4 and I5 at right angle to the score lines II and I2 and skipping the intermediate section I6 due to the notch 23. 30

The prop 20 is divided by spaced parallel angular score lines 21 and 28 into an upper prop section 29 and a lower prop section 30, the material between the score lines constituting a foldable intermediate section or web 3|. The score 35 21 is cut from the inner side of the prop and the score 28 is cut from the outer side thereof so that the lower prop section 30 will fold up against the right side of the upper prop section 29 when the easel is folded for use as shown in Figures 1 to 3. 40 However, the cutting of the score lines 21 and 28 may be reversed to cause the lower prop section 39 to fold up against the left side of the upper prop section 29 as shown in Figures 7 and 8 without in any way effecting the desired re- 5 sult. The inner end of the web 3| is out free of the lower prop section 3|] on the same plane as the shoulder 24 to provide a continuation shoulder portion 32 on which the intermediate panel section l6 rests when the display unit is folded 50 and set up for use.

Cut from a portion of the upper panel section 29 and an adjacent portion of the attaching strip I9 is a locking tongue 33, the same being foldable outwardly and downwardly on 55 the horizontal fold line 34. The free end of the tongue 33 is provided with a slot 35 of a width to receive three thicknesses of the material from which the prop is constructed in a 5 manner to be presently described and as clearly shown in Figure 3. The wall of the opening in the upper prop section formed by the cutting of a portion of the tongue 33 therefrom is formed with a stop shoulder 38 and an adjacent notch 31 into which the end wall of the slot 35 is forced into interlocking engagement when the parts are folded into locking relation.

For setting up the display unit fiat folded position shown in Figure 4 to the position shown in Figures 1 and 2, the. operatorfirst swings the prop outwardly on the hinge fold line l8 to a position at right angle to the rear side of the fiat display panels; secondly, the

operator applies opposite forces to the. free ends 20 of the upper panel section I 5 and lower panel section I4, causing the same to. fold on the lines H and [2 which offsets the two panel sections relative to each other and provides a stepped horizontal intermediate section I6; As the sections l4 and 15 move toward each other to offset position, the upper and lower prop sections 29 and 30 move a corresponding distance relative to each other which iscompensated for by reason of the folding web connection 3|, which 30' webconnection folds upwardly on the angular fold lines 21 and 28; Thirdly, the operator foldsthe locking tongue 33 outwardly and downward ly causing the three plysof material,- namely .the web 3| and adjacent lapping portions of the 35 upper and lower prop sections 29 and 30 to enter the slot 35 with the opposite walls of the slotembracing the, prop sections. The tongue 33' is limited in its outward and downward swingingmovementby its engagement with the' stop shoulder 36 and is held against accidental move-f ment by reason of the interlocking of the free edgeof the tongue in the notch 3'li The connecting panel section. I 6. now assumes a horizontal position and. rests'uponthe shoulder 32, with the upper panel section l5; stepped baek rela tive to the lower panel section [4 when looking at. the front of the. display. unit. ,Steppedback display panels are resorted. to in display signs vwherein theappearance of depth or thefthird' dimension is desired, and it will be appreciated that with the easel locked in itsperpendicular i In Figures 5 to- 8. inclusive 1 have illustrated a. modified. form ofdisplay panel whereinthe lower panel section. L4. is provided with side flaps 38-38v which fold rearwardly on the score lines 39-39 which are in alinement with .the endsv of the intermediate panel section l 6., The up-.

per or inner ends of the flaps 38-38 are, pro- 70 vided with notches 40 and finger portions 41. The sides of the upper panel section l5 are provided with extension portions 42-42, the lower or inner ends of which are provided with notches 43.. Before the upper andlower panel 75 sections are shifted to offset display position,

ID from its.

Should it bedesired to unfold .the set" up dis-Q the flaps 38-38 are folded back to a position at right angle to the lower panel section, and as the panel sections shift inwardly the notches 43 of the flaps fit into the respective notches 43 and the walls thereof interfit to retain said flaps in rearwardly extending position to close in the opposite sides of the lower panel section. The fingers 4l-4l extend upwardly and brace the upper panel section I5 directly above the fold line [2. After the flaps 38 are locked in the manner described, side flaps 44-44 on the extension portions 42-42 are folded rearward- .ly on the fold lines 45-45 to close in the sides of.the upper panel section [5.

The easelshown= in Figure 5 is identical to that shown at l-l' in Figures 1 to 4 inclusive, and like reference characters refer to corresponding parts. However, the easel shown in Figures, 6 to 8 inclusive is similar to the easel I! but is of 'the double prop type. The double prop easel issdesignatedjndts entirety bythe numeral 50: and is. formed from a. single blank of cardboard to provide a central attachingstrip 5| adhesively securedito: the rear of the panel sections I4 andv l5; foldable props 52-52 at opposite sidesthereof; and. a single locking flap 531 equivalent to the locking. flap 33 but which differs therefrom inthat it has two notches 54- 5.4 instead ofthe one notch 35. The props 52 are identical in construction to the'prop 20 heretofore described and each is divided by spaced angular fold lines 55'and 56' into an upper prop section 51, a lower prop section 58, and an intermediate folding web connection 59. The scores forming the fold lines 55'and 56' are made to cause the web connections 59.to fold up against the inner sides of the upper panel sections 57 whenthe display unit is'set up for use as shown in Figure 7 of the drawings. The easel blank is cut away as at 60 to provide the necessary gap in the attaching strip equivalent to the notch '23 and" which provides shoulders 61-61 on which the intermediate panel section l6 rests. This form of easel is unfolded in the same manner as the easel I! with the exception that the two props 52-52 are swung outward to spaced parallel position, after which the upper and lower panels are shifted to offset position causing the webconnections to break upward, after which the tongue 53 is folded outwardly and downwardly on the fold line 62 and the notches 54' receive the respective folded webs and related prop sections. The double locking tongue 53 abuts shoulders 63 on the respectiveprops, and the end walls of the notches 54-54 interlock in notches-'64-64 which are formed in the, props adjacent the stop shoulders 54-54.

The double prop easel 50 may be said to be formed of two props similar to the single prop l1, and the two props held locked by the single double notched flap 5.3. Aside'from this slight difference in construction the single and double prop easels are identical'and it is not believed necessary to further discuss the construction and function. of the double prop easel 50. The double prop, easel will be found useful in relatively large display units wherein a single prop would not provide the desired rigid support.

In Figures 5 to 8, they bottom edge of the easel is, cut, at an angle with respect to the bottom straight edge of the lower panel section so that when the easel is set up, the display panels will assume a slightly backward tilted position instead of the substantially vertical position shown in Figures 1 and 2.

While I have shown and described what I consider to be the most practical embodiment of my invention, I wish it to be understood that such changes and alterations as come within the scope of the appended claims may be resorted to if desired without in any way departing from the spirit of the invention.

Having thus described the'invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is:

1. A cardboard display unit comprising a foldable offset display panel formed from a single piece of cardboard and normally flat and shiftable into offset set up position to provide an upper panel section, a lower panel section, and an intermediate panel section; an easel attached to the rear of the offset upper and lower panel sections and normally foldable flat thereagainst, said easel including a hinged prop swingable to a set up position at right'angle to said display panel, foldable means integral with said prop and normally disposed in flat unfolded condition against said display panel and adapted to befolded to compensate for the relative shifting of the upper and lower panel sections to offset position, and a means formed from said easel for locking the foldable means in folded position when moved thereto by the shifting of said display panel to offset position.

2. A cardboard display unit comprising a foldable offset display panel formed from a single piece of cardboard and normally flat and shiftable into offset set up position to provide an upper panel section, a lower panel section, and an intermediate panel section; an easel attached to the rear of the offset upper and lower panel sections and normally folded fiat thereagainst, said easel including a hinged prop swingable to a set up position at right angle to said display panel, foldable means integral with said prop and normally disposed in flat unfolded condition against said display panel and adapted to be folded to compensate for the relative shifting of the upper and lower panel sections to offset position, and a locking tongue hinged to the rear of said panel and adapted to interlock with the folded means when the panelis shifted to offset position to secure the prop in locked supporting position.

3. A cardboard display unit comprising a display panel scored horizontally on spaced parallel lines to divide the same into a lower panel section, an upper panel section and an intermediate panel section, the sections of said display panel being normally flat and disposed in the same plane and foldable on the parallel score lines to cause the upper and lower panel sections to assume offset planes, an easel secured to the rear of said upper and lower panel sec-.

tions including a hinged prop normally disposed in a position flat against the rear of said display panel and swingable to a position at right angle thereto, foldable lapping means formed integral with said prop for compensating for the relative movement of said upper and lower panel sections to ofiset planes, and a locking tongue flap hinged to the rear of said upper panel section and having a notch therein for receiving and holding the foldable lapping means against unfolding.

l. A cardboard display unit comprising a display panel scored horizontally on spaced parallel lines to divide the same into a lower panel section, an upper panel section and an intermediate panel section, the sections of saiddisplay panel being normally flat and. disposed in the same plane and foldable on the parallel score lines to cause the upper and lower panel sections to assume offset planes, an easel secured to the rear of saidu pper and lower panel sections including a hinged prop normally disposed in a position flat against the rear of said display panel and swingable to a set up position at right angle thereto, said prop being scored on two spaced parallel lines to divide the same into an upper prop section, a lower prop section, and a folding intermediate section, whereby folding of said display panel to offset the upper and lower display panels will cause said intermediate prop section to fold into lapping relation with respect to the upper and lower prop sections, and releasable locking means engageable with the folded intermediate prop'section for securing the same in folded position.

5. A cardboard displayunit comprising a display panel scored horizontally on spaced parallel lines to divide the same into a lower panel section, an upper panel section and an intermediate panel section, said display panel being normally fiat and foldable on the parallel score lines to cause the upper and lower panel sections to assume offset planes, an easel secured to the rear of said upper and lower. panel sections including a hinged prop normally disposed flat against the rear oil said display panel and swingable to a position at right angle thereto, said prop being scored on two spaced parallel lines extend.- ing angularly thereacross to divide the same into an upper prop section, a lower prop section, and a folding intermediate section, whereby folding of said display panel to offset the upper and lower display panels will cause said intermediate prop section to fold into lapping relation with respect to the upper and lower prop sections, and a hinged locking tongue flap formed from. said easel and having a notch therein to receive and hold the lapping portions of said upper and lower prop sections with the intermediate folded section therebetween.

6. A cardboard display unit constructed in accordance with claim 5, and including releasable interlocking means between said tongue prop and the upper flap section.

7. A cardboard display unit comprising a foldable display panel having a lower panel section, an upper panel section stepped back from said lower panel section, and an intermediate step section connecting said lower and upper panel sections; an easel including a single blank of attaching flap sections adhesively secured to 'the rear of said lower and upper panel sections,

a hinged prop connected to said attaching flap sections, spaced parallel fold lines extending angularly across said prop and dividing the same into a lower prop section, an upper prop section, and intermediate folding web section, said prop extending outwardly from the rear of said display panel with the inner ends of said prop sections lapping the folded web section, and a locking tongue flap formed from the easel blank. and having a notch for receiving the folded inner ends of the upper and lower prop sections with the web section folded therebetween.

8. A cardboard display unit comprising a foldabledisplay panel having a lower panel section, an upper panel section stepped back from said lower panel section, and an intermediate step section connecting said lower and upper panel sections; an easel including a single blank of stiff cardboard cut andscoredto. provide spaced attaching flap sections: adhesively secured to the rear of said lower andupper panel sections, a hinged prop connected to said attaching flap sections, spaced parallel fold lines extending angularly across. said. prop and dividing the same into a lower prop section, an. upper prop section, and an intermediate folding web section, said prop extending outwardly from the rear of said display panel with the inner ends of said prop sections lappingthe folded web section, a shoulder formed on said lower prop section and underlying the intermediate step section of the display panel and on which the step section rests, and a lockingtongue fiap' formed from the easel blank and having a notch for receiving'the folded inner ends of the upper and lower prop sections with the web section folded therebetween.

9. A cardboard display. unit comprising a foldable display panel having a lower panel section,

' an upper panel section steppedback from said lower panelsection, andan intermediate step section connecting said lower and upper panel sections; an easel including a pair of alined attaching strip sections respectively secured to the rear of the panel sections, a pair of props hinged to opposite sides of said attaching strip sections, each of said'props being provided with spaced parallel fold lines extending angularly across the same to divide the prop into a lower prop section, an upper prop section, and an intermediate folding web section, said props extending outwardly from said display panel in substantially spaced parallel relation with the web sections folded and the inner ends of the related lower and upper prop sections overlapping the same, and a singlelocking tongue hinged to the rear of the upper panel section and having a pair of spaced notches therein for respectively receiving the lapped folded portions of the two props to lock the same in folded set up position. 20

VINCENT FORTUNATO. 

